In 2025, fans lost around $5.3 billion to scams involving hackers pretending to be popular musicians, a new report reveals. These scams are increasingly using artificial intelligence and are spreading on social media.
A recent report by the social media security firm Spikerz revealed that scammers are impersonating popular artists like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Billie Eilish. They’re using fake accounts, compromised profiles, and copied content to deceive fans into purchasing fake tickets, merchandise, VIP packages, and investing in cryptocurrency scams.
Spikerz warns that platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X are increasingly vulnerable to fraud and can harm brands. They note that scams involving fake accounts are becoming harder to spot thanks to advances in AI technology.
Taylor Swift & Sabrina Capenter impersonators top scammer charts
Okay, so I just read this report, and apparently Taylor Swift and Dan + Shay’s Carpenter were the most impersonated artists last year. After them, it was Billie Eilish, BTS, Adele, Ed Sheeran, BLACKPINK, Ariana Grande, Drake, and Lewis Capaldi. It makes sense, though – scammers go after musicians because fans really trust them and are super engaged with everything they do online. It’s a really easy way for them to try and trick people.
According to Scott Cohen, a co-founder of The Orchard and advisor to Spikerz, social media is now the primary way artists connect with fans, making it a significant area of risk. He believes that to encourage creativity and experimentation, artists need online spaces where they aren’t constantly facing negativity or criticism.
These scams came in different forms. Taylor Swift fans encountered fake listings for tickets, merchandise, and VIP experiences. Meanwhile, fans of Carpenter, who tend to be younger, were targeted with copied social media accounts promoting fake meet-and-greets and early access to tickets.
Impersonators created fake livestreams and giveaways pretending to be Billie Eilish to steal people’s personal details and money.
A recent Billboard article detailed several notable events from 2025, including a major hacking incident. Hackers gained control of Instagram accounts belonging to popular artists like Adele, Future, and Tyla, as well as Pink Floyd and the Michael Jackson estate. They used these accounts to promote a cryptocurrency scam, earning at least $49,000.
Scammers have also been posing as Johnny Depp and his representatives, allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from people they targeted.
Spikerz points out that scams involving fake artist profiles not only cause immediate financial harm, but also hurt an artist’s reputation and ability to earn money in the future.
When fans mistakenly buy fake merchandise, tickets, or experiences from imposters, it hurts the artist financially and damages their reputation, making it harder to sell things and connect with fans in the future.
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2025-12-14 21:19